On the next day after our wonderful preaching program at Apollo Hospital I took my last Chemo treatment on the Oncology Day Care Ward. Many of the nurses had attended the program on the previous day, and they were happily congratulating me. The nurse in charge said: "You are a good speaker - you know how to capture the interest of your audience....!" She was a Christian. And she continued: "We were afraid, thinking: 'Oh, she is standing for such a long time - more than one hour! How can she have the energy and strength to do this?!' We were afraid you would get tired and weak....!" Yes, I had also been a little worried, but remained assured that I would simply ask for a chair if I would get tired. And once the program started, I did not even think about it any longer, and managed perfectly.
Once again I had a bag with prasadam with me - my last chance to feed everyone, this time with almond cookies. Dr Vishwanath happily greeted me with "Your speech was impressive - truly impressive...!" I immediately gave him the credit and responded: "You were the inspiration behind the program!" He liked that and nodded his head in approvement. I could also sense that he liked the fact that I had mentioned his name at the program as being the one who guided me through the Chemo. I had even shared that I am not a very submissive patient and probably not so easy to handle, but that he had done really well. A little bit of ego satisfaction for him!
While I was taking my Chemo some ladies who had attended the program and are working in other departments came to visit me to ask further questions - I had announced at the program that I would have my last Chemo today. People were so open and interested - quite amazing really. I felt I had established quite a few relationships here. Meeting some of the staff members in the corridors they were waving and smiling at me. I should definately offer another program on my next visit to Bangalore in November, when we would have a Holy Name Retreat.
After I had concluded my treatment I paid a visit to the two main administrative doctors to express my gratitude for their help and support. They also received a box of cookies each to take home for their family. I shared how the program had inspired me so much, and I would indeed be ready to have another program in the future - in November maybe, when I would visit Bangalore next. They both happily agreed, and the main chief even suggested to have two programs - one for the staff, and one for the patients.....
One week later, on the 21st of July I had my Chemoport removed. It was again a little surgery under local anaesthesia, similar to the surgery of inserting it. Once again I had a bag of boxes with cookies with me, and the staff in the Operating Theatre received plenty of prasadam which I distributed on the way to my surgery. Everybody was delighted - probably no other patients had ever come for a surgery with cookies for the staff.....
I had to spend some hours on the surgical Day Care Ward, where I distributed the last boxes of prasadam. Dr Vishwanath came to see me, and I suggested that this could be our last meeting, since there was no real need for another appointment. The last blood test I could also do somewhere else and inform him of the outcome, and he agreed. He expressed that it had been a great pleasure for him to treat me, and I thanked him for tolerating me. And we wished each other all the best. As a souvenir I received a little sealed bag with the Chemoport inside, which had been in my body for almost three months. It had gone a little yellow in color - probably from all the carrot and pumkin juice and tumeric water I had been drinking. Finally, after the usual lengthy procedure of being discharged, I was allowed to make my way back to Apara Mataji's house in the late afternoon. I had been there since 8 o'clock in the morning.....
Gradually the end of my exile in Bangalore started to appear on the horizon, and it felt great. I had already booked a flight for the 10th of August to Kharkov/Ukraine to celebrate Janmastami with all the devotees, and take darshan of our newly installed Gaur Nitai Deities.
While I was taking my Chemo some ladies who had attended the program and are working in other departments came to visit me to ask further questions - I had announced at the program that I would have my last Chemo today. People were so open and interested - quite amazing really. I felt I had established quite a few relationships here. Meeting some of the staff members in the corridors they were waving and smiling at me. I should definately offer another program on my next visit to Bangalore in November, when we would have a Holy Name Retreat.
After I had concluded my treatment I paid a visit to the two main administrative doctors to express my gratitude for their help and support. They also received a box of cookies each to take home for their family. I shared how the program had inspired me so much, and I would indeed be ready to have another program in the future - in November maybe, when I would visit Bangalore next. They both happily agreed, and the main chief even suggested to have two programs - one for the staff, and one for the patients.....
One week later, on the 21st of July I had my Chemoport removed. It was again a little surgery under local anaesthesia, similar to the surgery of inserting it. Once again I had a bag of boxes with cookies with me, and the staff in the Operating Theatre received plenty of prasadam which I distributed on the way to my surgery. Everybody was delighted - probably no other patients had ever come for a surgery with cookies for the staff.....
I had to spend some hours on the surgical Day Care Ward, where I distributed the last boxes of prasadam. Dr Vishwanath came to see me, and I suggested that this could be our last meeting, since there was no real need for another appointment. The last blood test I could also do somewhere else and inform him of the outcome, and he agreed. He expressed that it had been a great pleasure for him to treat me, and I thanked him for tolerating me. And we wished each other all the best. As a souvenir I received a little sealed bag with the Chemoport inside, which had been in my body for almost three months. It had gone a little yellow in color - probably from all the carrot and pumkin juice and tumeric water I had been drinking. Finally, after the usual lengthy procedure of being discharged, I was allowed to make my way back to Apara Mataji's house in the late afternoon. I had been there since 8 o'clock in the morning.....
Gradually the end of my exile in Bangalore started to appear on the horizon, and it felt great. I had already booked a flight for the 10th of August to Kharkov/Ukraine to celebrate Janmastami with all the devotees, and take darshan of our newly installed Gaur Nitai Deities.
On the 25th of July I moved on to embark on my last adventure in Bangalore for now - a two-week detox program at an Ayurvedic Clinic just outside of the city. I was very grateful to Apara Mataji and her good husband for giving me such good care over three weeks. I had felt very much at home in their family, and we had had many meaningful exchanges. We could feel a strong bonding developing over these three weeks, and I requested them to come and visit me in Bangladesh one day - together with Aniruddha, their 15-year old son. I would be so happy to take them for a little tour - as a humble offering to show my gratitude. We had planned a fare-well pizza feast which we unfortunately had to cancel since I had caught a cold with a raised temperature - something which should not really happen during Chemo, especially when embarking on an Ayurvedic treatment....! I offered some little gifts, and we exchanged affectionate words of gratitude and appreciation.
Whenever I start feeling very comfortable somewhere, it is time for me to move on. A rolling stone doesn't gather any moss - even during Chemo......
Your servant, Devaki dd
https://www.facebook.com/instituteforspiritualculture/
Whenever I start feeling very comfortable somewhere, it is time for me to move on. A rolling stone doesn't gather any moss - even during Chemo......
Your servant, Devaki dd
https://www.facebook.com/instituteforspiritualculture/
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